The bill aims to ensure that members of the military and public safety officials can wear their uniforms when visiting schools, but Democrats say there's no evidence of a problem.

AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) _ Maine's Democratic-controlled House has given final approval to a bill that aims to ensure that military members and public safety officials can wear their uniforms when visiting schools.

Supporters of the bill approved on a 138-4 vote Tuesday have pointed to instances in which military recruiters were limited from meeting with students or not allowed to wear their uniforms at schools.

The bill now heads to the Senate before being sent to Republican Gov. Paul LePage's desk.

The measure failed last session after some Democratic lawmakers said it was unnecessary and that there was no evidence that it's a problem in Maine schools. It was reintroduced this year.

Some critics said Tuesday that the bill was an overreach of state authority and would hamper local control of schools.